Sanitary dispensing valve seating at outer end



' R. C. HUG

Jan. 13, 1970 SANITARY DISPENSING VALVE SEATING AT OUTER END 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept.

FIG. 2

FIG.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1970 R. C. HUG

SANITARY DISPENSING VALVE SEATING AT OUTER END Filed Sept. 26, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6\ lo I i 62 0 1 z 62 14" FIG. 6 F l G 7 q 7: y 65 4 l 64 W? I 65 fig Ill! w W! 60 4 A Is 6| I it Ilx INVENTOR FIG. 8

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,489,323 SANITARY DISPENSING VALVE SEATING AT OUTER END Richard C. Hug, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Clayton Corporation, St. Louis, Mo.,a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 670,558 Int. Cl. B65d 83/06; G01f 11/28 US. Cl. 222-40216 12 Claims .ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A valve for pressure dispensers utilizes a fixed outwardprojecting pin enclosed by a defiectable tube and grasped within its washer-like outer end. When deflected radially from one side, the washer-like end releases its grasp on the opposite side of the pin, thus Opening the valve. A decorator tip nozzle has a sliding sleeve which fits over the tube. Moving the nozzle inward distorts the washerlike end, for gassing; moving it outward brings a side aperture adjacent to the washer-like end, to facilitate rinsing the nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Single-usepressure dispensers utilize various types of valves which ordinarily seat at a point within the dispenser. Product which has passed outwardly of the valve seat remains within the valve mechanism, and cannot be readily rinsed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a valve which closes or seats outwardly of the dispenser, at the point of dis pensing. The hollow defiectable molded dispensing tube has a base flange clamped sealedly within a pedestal in the container top wall, by crimping the pedestal wall under the baseportion of a rigidly held outward-projecting valve member. A flow passage through the valve member base portion communicates the pressure within the container to the dispensing tube.

The outer tip end of the valve member is a solid pin, sealedly grasped by the bore of a washer-like seat at the outer end of the dispensing tube. The washer-like seat is sufficiently thick, relative to the diameter of its bore, that the pressure within the tube does not escape past the pin. However when the outer end of the dispensing tube is pressed laterally, preferably by a sleeved actuator thereon, such pressing is resisted by one side of the tip end of the valve member. The pressure and resistance so deflects the washer-like seat as to release the sealing grasp of its bore on the side opposite that where the pressure is applied, and thus open the valve. The flow therethrough is conducted outward through a decorative nozzle outlet on the actuator.

' Beneath the tip end of the rigid valve member are outward-projecting flutes. Forcing the washer-like seat downward over the flutes so spreads and distorts the bore of the seat as to permit the inflow through the bore of pressurizing gas.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuator may he slid axially outward along the dispensing tube, to a position at which a rinsing aperture in its sleeve is brought to the level of the seat. The seat and nozzle may then be thoroughly rinsed by flowing water through the actuator between the rinse aperture and the nozzle opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the actuator in dispensing position. The dashed lines show the actuator raised for washing out.

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FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof, shown partly broken away and opened by a sideward force.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 1, the actuator being pressed down to open for gassing.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of an alternate embodiment of the invention including a rigid tube between the defiectable dispensing tube and the actuator.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a further modified embodiment, requiring no actuator.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the upper portion of the embodiment of FIG. 7, showing the sealing washer blown down by the inflow of gas under ressure.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of said upper portion, showing the valve opened by deflection under a sideward force.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is a valve assembly mounted in conventional ductile metal mounting cup a having an outer edge rim b, to serve as the top wall of a conventional pressure container, not shown. Rising in the center of the mounting cup a is a hollow cylindrical pedestal portion 0, terminating in an inward rim d which defines a circular aperture 2.

Mounted in the aperture e of the mounting cup (2 is a rigid valve member generally designated 10, preferably formed as a molded plastic part. The valve member 10 includes a generally cylindrical stem portion 11 projecting outward through the top wall aperture e, but of substantially smaller diameter, and terminating at its outer end in a solid pin-like tip end 12. An enlarged base portion 13 of the valve member 10 includes, at the lower end of the stem portion 11, a radially enlarged base flange 14 having a downward and inward taper 15. A vertical outward flow passage 17, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, extends through the base portion 13 parallel to the vertical axis f of the valve member 10; it is spaced radially from the axis so that its outlet 18 in the upper surface of the base flange 14 is immediately adjacent to the outer cylindrical wall of the stem portion 11.

Cooperating with the valve member 10, as a second principal member of the present invention, is a hollow defiectable dispensing tube generally designated 20. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, the tube 20 is formed of elastic rubber-like material, compatible with the dispenser contents. It includes an essentially cylindrical tubular wall portion 21 which surrounds the rigid valve stem portion 11 with clearance and encloses it to its tip end 12. v The tubular wall portion 21 extends upward through the top wall aperture e; its lower margin has a diametrically enlarged flange 22, presented against the undersurface of the pedestal rim d. Beneath the flange 22, the

base flange 14 of the valve member 10 is clamped, sealingly, bvcrimping the pedestal c against the taper 15 to form a reduced side Wall poition g. This crimping serves the washer-like seat 25 in the preferred embodiment is at least equal to the diameter of the bore 26 and preferably of slightly greater thickness. One of the functions of its thickness is to avoid outward bulging of the seat 25 under the pressure of the dispensing container which is communicated through the flow passage 17 to the inside of the tubular wall portion 21 of the dispensing tube 20. By thus avoiding outward bulging, the sealing grasp of the bore 26 against the pin-like tip end 12 of the valve member is not impaired, even though the dispenser be operated at pressures of the general order of 100 pounds per square inch, which are conventional.

The upper edge surface 27 of the Washer-like seat 25 is at the upper margin of the deflectable dispensing tube 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 it is slightly enlarged to provide an overhanging shoulder 28, .useful for retaining the actuator generally designated 30. For directing the discharge of the dispensed contents, the actuator 30 is mounted upon and over the rubber dispensing tube 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, it is molded of a relatively rigid plastic material. It includes a tubular sleeve portion 31 whose upper inner wall 32 is undercut to a slightly larger inner diameter upwardly of an upward shoulder 33 formed at about mid-height. Within the upper end of the tubular sleeve portion 31 is a downwardly presented shoulder 34, which extends inwardly a distance greater than the overhanging shoulder 28 of the dispensing tube 20 to bear against its upper edge 27. The fit of the upper inner wall 32 against the perimeter of the overhanging shoulder 28 is relatively tight to confine the washer-like seat 25. Despite the container pressure, which is communicated into the dispensing tube 20, the washerlike seat 25 will not become enlarged radially.

Outwardly of the downwardly presented shoulder 34 the actuator 30 has an inwardly rounded, slotted nozzle outlet 35. When contents, such as whipped cream, are discharged, they emerge intruded into an attractive pattern, similar to that formed by the decorators tip on a pastry bag.

In the position shown in solid lines of FIG. 1, wherein the actuators downwardly presented shoulder 34 rests against the upper edge 27 of the dispensing tube 20, the lower edge or rim 36 of the actuator sleeve portion 31 is spaced by the distance 1' above the inward rim d of the pedestal c. The undercut of the upper inner wall 32 is of such length as to permit the actuator 30 to be drawn upward a distance k, from its inner position so shown in solid lines to an outer position shown in dashed lines, at which its upward shoulder 33 will serve as a detent against the overhanging shoulder 28 of the dispensing tube 20.

Within the upper inner wall 32 of the actuator 30, at a position between its upward shoulder 33 and downward shoulder 34, is a large rinse aperture 40, which may be rectangular as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Preferably, the rinse aperture 40 is so located that when the actuator 30 is raised the length k to an outer position, as shown in the dashed lines of FIG. 1, it will be adjacent to but outward of the washer-like seat 25 Special provision is made of applying pressurizing gas through the valve. Beneath the washer-like seat 25, when, in the normal undistorted position shown in FIG. 1, a pair of flutes 42 project outward, in the radial direction, from the cylindrical surface of the tip end 12 to the larger diameter of the stem portion 11. Upper shoulderlike surfaces 43 of the flutes 42 taper downwardly and outwardly. By applying a downward force to the actuator 30 as shown in FIG. 4, its downward-presented shoulder 34 presses against the upper edge 27 of the dispensing tube 20, forcing its washer-like seat 25 downward onto these tapering surfaces 43. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the result is to distort and enlarge the area of the bore 26. Pressed so in the downward position, the distortic m permits the inflow of pressurizing gas, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4, in ward through the nozzle outlet 35, downward along the tip end 12 adjacent to the flutes 42 below the washer-like seat 25. It flows thence along the side of the stem portion 11 through the flow passage 17 and into the container to be filled.

In gassing position, the lower edge or rim 36 of the actuator sleeve 31 is pressed downward closer to the pedestal c than the original clearance j (compare FIG. 4 with FIG. 1), and the tubular wall portion 21 of the rubber-like dispensing tube 20 is compressed. On release of the downward force, the resistance of the dispensing tube 20 to such compression will restore the parts to the sealed position shown in FIG. 1.

The perspective view, FIG. 3, shows how the valve opens when a sideward or lateral force is applied to the actuator 30. The assembly is inverted prior to dispensing as is conventional where the valve uses no syphon tube. A lateral force (indicated by the horizontal arrow in FIG. 3), applied through the actuator 30 to the washerlike seat 25, will bucke the seat in compression against the resistance offered by the tip end 12 of the rigidly clamped valve member 10. As the portion of seat 25 between this force and resistance buckles, the remainder of the seat 25 will be deflected and displaced sideward, as shown in FIG. 3, releasing the sealing grasp of the bore 26 to open it on the side opposite the point of application of the force. Through the opening so created at the tip end 12, the substance to be dispensed emerges to pass into and be discharged through the nozzle outlet 35.

A somewhat similar construction is shown in the alternate embodiment of FIG. 6. In this embodiment parts substantially identical to those heretofore described are numbered similarly, save for the addition of the symbol and where they are not otherwise described, the foregoing descriptions are intended to apply. The rubber dispensing tube 20 is formed without any overhanging shoulder. However, onto its outer tube surface is fitted a thin-walled rigid plastic tube 50, Whose outer surface is a slide surface which terminates at its upper edge in an outwardly projecting shoulder 51. The tube 50 is of the same length as that of the sleeve portion 31' of the actuator 30' fitted thereon. The shoulder 51 serves to engage the upwardly presented shoulder 33' and downwardly presented shoulder 34' of the actuator 30', permitting it to slide and raise from the inner position shown in FIG. 6, to an outer position shown in dashed lines. With its window aperture 40' so raised, the interior of the nozzle opening 35', the tip end 12 and seat 25' may be readily rinsed.

This embodiment may be preferred to the embodiment of FIG. 1 under conditions where the outer surface of the rubber dispensing tube 20 of FIG. 1 does not permit easy sliding of the actuator 30, as may be due to surface friction or to bulging of the tubular sleeve portion 31, if it be relatively thin and the pressure sufiiciently high.

For purposes of gassing, this embodiment functions in the same manner as shown for the first embodiment in FIGS. 4 and 5. For dispensing, a lateral force will compress the washer-like seat 25' between the valve tip end 12' and the upper end of the rigid tube 50 with the same opening effect as is shown in FIG. 3.

The second alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 is useful in those cases where the substance to be dispensed need not be formed to a decorative pattern; and also where the the substances to be dispensed are chemically incompatible with moldable rubber. A similar mounting cup a" is used, having a pedestal portion 0" and air inward rim d". In it is received a flanged plastic dispensing tube generally designated 60, formed of a material, as polyethylene, of such elasticity as permits a limited degree of deflection. Formed somewhat like the deflectable rubber dispensing tube 20, it has a tubular wall portion 61 whose inner diameter normally surrounds the valve member 10", hereafter to be described, with substantial clearance; and at whose lower margin is a diametrically enlarged flange 62. At its upper end, the wall portion 61 terminates in an inward-formed annular retaining flange 63 having a downwardly presented shoulder surface 64. Upwardly of the'shoulder sur face 64, the inner diameter of the dispensing tube 60 as reduced by the flange 63 is still sufl'icient to provide clearance about the tip end 12" of the valve member when the parts are deflected for dispensing as hereafter described.

The valve member 10" is formed of rigid plastic similarly to the valve member 10. Its stem portion 11" is surrounded by the tubular plastic wall portion 61 with clearance; at its outer end it terminates in a similar tip end 12" which fits with clearance within the retaining flange 63 of the plastic dispensing tube 60. At a level spacedly below the downwardly presented shoulder 64 of the dispensing' tube 60, it has radially outward projecting flutes 42". In this instance, however, the flutes 42 have upper shoulder surfaces 65 which are rounded as they slope outwardly and downward.

Forsealing, upper and lower flat elastic sealing washers are used, made of a material selected for compatability with the contents to be dispensed. Such flat washers may be formed by a stamping operation. The lower-washer 67 is inserted within the pedestal'c between the lower flange 62 of the plastic dispensing tube 60 and the base flange 14 of the rigid valve-member 10". Its bore is as large as the inner diameterofthe tubular wall portion 61 and its outer diameter equalsthatof the flange 62. The upper sealingwasher 68 is fitted sealedly aboutthe tip end .12 of the valve: member 10" above the rounded sloping shoulder surfaces 65; Its outer diameter fits closely within the plastic tube rinse diameter 61, and its upper surface bears against the annular shoulder surface 64, which retains it despite internal pressure.

The manner of gassing this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8. No downward force is applied to the dispensing tube 60; instead a gassing head (not"shown) is fitted over the dispensing tube 60, and itshig'li pressure penetrates into the annular space inwardly of the retaining flange 63 around the tip end 12". The rounded sloping shoulder surfaces 65 of the flutes 4 2" retain the upper Washer 68 as shown in FIG. 8; the pressurizing gas bends it downward on the curving shoulder surfaces 65; and in so bending, the radially outer edge of the washer '68 draws inward to permit inflow of pressurizing gas between that edge and the inner diameter of the tubular wall portion 61. The thickness'of the upper washer 68, which so bends downward under gassing pressure, should be somewhat less than its annular width. When the gassing pressure is released, the internal pressure and the elasticity of the washer 68 restores it to the sealed position shown in FIG.7.

To operate the valve for dispensing, a lateral force is applied against the plastic dispensing tube 60 as shown in FIG. 9. This force is communicated through the tube 60 against the washer 68 therein, and reacted by the tip end 12" of the rigid valve member 10", compressing the portion of the washer 68 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 9, the clearance of the retaining flange 63 around the tip end 12" is more than suflicient to permit such compression, and the flexibility of the plastic dispensing tube 60 is sufficient to permit its deflectance relative to the rigid valve member 10". The remainder of the washer 68 is deflected and displaced sideward, to release its sealing grasp on the opposite side of the tip end 12". This permits the contents of the container to flow outward, as shown in FIG. 9, by the arrows at the left side of the tip end 12". Release of the lateral force restores the parts to the closed position shown in FIG. 7. Thus, the washer 68 serves, in this embodiment, in the same manner as the washer-like seat of the principal embodiment.

Variations in the form and combination of elements described will occur to those familiar with the art who desire to adapt the present construction to modified purposes and uses. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be narrowly construed, but rather as so extensive with the claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A valve for pressure dispensers of the type including a container top wall having an aperture, comprising:

- a rigid valve member having a stem projecting outward through such top wall aperture and terminating in a solid pin-like tip end having a radially outer wall,

further having Y 1 an enlarged base portion, means thereat to engage and clamp said member rigidly relative to such top wall, and flow passage means toconduct the contents of such dispenser upward from beneath the base portion to the outer side of the stem thereabove,

in combination with a hollow deflectable rubber-like dispensing tube clampedly mounted within the aperture of the dispenser top wall above the clamped base portion of the rigid valve member and enclosing the stem thereabove to the pin-like top end, and having I anelastic washer-like outer seat having a bore surrounding and normally sealedly grasping radially inward about the outer wall of the tip end of the rigid member, I

whereby a lateral force exerted on the seat, resisted by one side of the tip end, sodefiects the seats as to release its radially inward sealing grasp on the opposite side of the wall of the tip end, thus to open the valve.

2. -A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the container top wall is formed of ductile metal and its aperture is within a hollow cylindrical pedestal portion of the top wall and is defined by an inward rim, and I wherein the portion of the deflectable dispensing tube sealed therein has a diametrically enlarged flange at the lower margin thereof, said flange being presented against the undersurface of the pedestal rim above the enlarged base portion of the rigid valve member,

wherein the means to clamp the rigid valve member in erect position comprises a reduced diameter sidewall portion of the pedestal beneath and adjacent to the said enlarged-base portion of the valve member.

. 3. A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the washer-like seat is at least equal to the diameter of its bore,

whereby to avoid such outward bulging of the seat as might impair the sealing grasp of its bore.

4. A valve as defined in claim 1, wherein the dispensing tube is formed of plastic material and has an inner diameter reduced at its outward end by an inward-formed retaining flange, and

the inner diameter of said retaining flange is sufiiciently greater than the outer diameter of the pin-like tip as to permit such valve-opening deflection of the washerlike seat, and

the washer-like seat is formed of rubber-like material and is retained by said inward formed-flange within the inner diameter of the dispensing tube.

5. A valve as defined in claim 11, wherein the dispensing tube is formed of plastic material and has an inner diameter reduced at its outward end by an inward-formed retaining flange, and

the inner diameter of said retaining flange is sufliciently greater than the outer diameter of the pin-like tip as to permit such radial deflection of the washer-like seat to open the valve, and wherein the washer-like seat is formed of rubber and is retained by said inward-formed flange within the inner diameter of the dispensing tube, and

the thickness of the washer-like seat is less than its annular width.

6. A valve as defined in claim 1, in combination with an actuator including a sleeve portion mounted onto the deflectable dispensing tube and a nozzle outlet outward of the washer-like seat.

7. A valve as defined in claim 1, in combination with a rigid actuator including a sleeve portion fitted onto the deflectable dispensing tube and peripherally confining the washer-like seat,

whereby despite pressure within the dispensing tube the seat is not radially enlarged.

8. A valve as defined in claim 11, in combination with a rigid actuator including a sleeve portion fitted onto the deflectable dispensing tube and a shoulder presented downwardly against its outer end and a lower sleeve rim spacedly above the lower end of the tube,

whereby a downward force applied to the actuator presses the seat downward onto the flute and distorts its bore to admit pressurizing gas.

9. A valve as defined in claim 6, wherein the dispensing tube includes a substantially cylindrical wall portion, and

the sleeve portion of the actuator is axially slidable between two axial positions, an inner position and an outer position,

the sleeve portion having a rinse aperture which inthe inner position is adjacent to wall portions of the dispensing tube and in the outer position is outwardly adjacent to the washer-like seat.

10. A valve as defined in claim 9, wherein a rigid tube is fitted onto the dispensing tube and its outer surface is a slide mounting surface on which the sleeve portion of the actuator is fitted, and

said tube includes detent means cooperating with the actuator to establish said two axial positions.

11. A valve for pressure dispensers of the type including a container top wall having an aperture, comprising:

a rigid valve member having a stern projecting outward through such top wall aperture and terminating in a solid pin-like tip end, and

having beneath the pin-like tip a radial outward projecting flute, the flute having an outward and downward sloping shoulder, further having an enlarged base portion, means thereat to clamp said member rigidly in erect position, and a flow passage outward through the base portion to the outer side of the stem,

in combination with a hollow deflectable dispensing tube within the aperture of the dispenser top wall above the clamped base portion of the rigid valve member and enclosing the stem thereabove to the pinlike tip end, and having cluding a container top wall having an aperture, comprising:

a rigid valve member having a stem projecting outward through such top wall aperture, and terminating in a solid pin-like tip end, further having an enlarged base portion, means thereat to clamp said member rigidly in erect position, and a flow passage outward through the base portion to the outer side of the stem, in combination with a hollow deflectable dispensing tube within the aperture of the dispenser top wall above the clamped base portion of the rigid valve member and enclosing the stern thereabove to the pin-like tip end, and having an elastic washer-like outer seat having a bore surrounding and normally sealedly grasping the tip end of the rigid member, in combination with a rigid actuator including a sleeve portion fitted onto the defiectable dispensing tube and a shoulder presented downwardly against its outer end and a lower sleeve rim spacedly above the lower end of the tube, whereby a downward force applied to the actuator depresses the washer-like seat for gassing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,998,923 9/1961 Aghrides 239106 3,219,069 11/1965 Kuffer 141-20 3,283,966 11/1966 Miller 222-525 3,336,000 8/1967 Barker 222-517 X 3,357,604 12/1967 Barker ZZZ-402.23

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner NORMAN L. STACK, IR., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

